The NZRU has confirmed that the revamped Rugby League Park will host the Crusaders in 2012 as well as a Test match between the All Blacks and Ireland next June.

Christchurch was hit by a earthquake on 22 February and hasn’t hosted a Super Rugby match since. It was decided that AMI Stadium, which was damaged in the quake, was too unstable to host Super Rugby matches, and it was later decided that no World Cup matches would be staged at this venue.

While AMI Stadium won’t be used by the Crusaders or the All Blacks in 2012, top-flight rugby will be returning to the city of Christchurch. The All Blacks will play Ireland on 16 June at Rugby League Park, the same venue that will host the Crusaders during the 2012 Super Rugby season.

Rugby League Park will undergo a NZ$20 million renovation and will have a capacity for the Test, with temporary seating, of 25 000.